Fluid materials dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from bulk containers into receiving containers includes:  
     (a) a vat for holding the fluid to be dispensed;  
     (b) a flexible spout attached to the vat and depending substantially vertically from the vat;  
     (c) a stationary member engaging the flexible spout; and  
     (d) a movable member biased against the stationary member thereby pinching the flexible spout to close the flexible spout and prevent fluid from being dispensed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to containers for storing and dispensing fluid materials (powders and liquids) and more particularly to containers for storing and dispensing both liquid and powered forms of laundry products, such as detergents, bleaches or fabric softeners.

[0002] The modern residential laundry room is normally home to numerous containers for various types of laundry products, including both liquid and dry detergents, bleaches and fabric softeners. These various laundry products are normally stored and dispensed from the containers in which they are originally packaged. The containers may be of cardboard or plastic and may contain various mechanisms for dispensing the products. Some of the containers may provide for being re-closed or re-sealed while others once opened cannot be re-sealed.

[0003] These containers suffer from a number of problems and inconveniences related to efficient and economical use. For example, containers that cannot be re-sealed are subject to being knocked over with subsequent loss of the product. This is both uneconomical and an unnecessary clean-up chore. Furthermore, most containers for laundry products provide no integral method for easily and conveniently measuring or dispensing the product. Most often the containers must be opened and inverted so that the product flows out into a measuring container. Spills and inaccurate measurements are commonplace.

[0004] In addition, laundry product containers are available in varying sizes. The larger sizes are generally the most economical. However, the larger sizes are also the most difficult to dispense from in practice.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,172 addresses some of the above problems, but does not completely solve all problems. For example, the apparatus of the '172 patent includes a shelf 4 that can be used to hold a cup for receiving the dispensed material. However because of the close approximation of the cup to the dispensing valve 3, only limited size cups may be used for receiving the material. Furthermore, the only way of receiving material to be dispensed is to pour the material into the hoper 1. This requires the original container to be opened and resealed every time the hopper needs to be re-filled.

[0006] Other dispensers of the prior art require two hands for operation: one hand holds the receiving container, and the other hand is used to dispense the material into the container.

[0007] There is a need for a fluid dispensing apparatus that addresses the above problems. In particular, the apparatus should allow one-handed operation, should allow any size container for receiving the dispensed material, and should allow the original container to be inverted and inserted into the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from bulk containers into receiving containers, comprising:

[0009] (a) a vat for holding the fluid to be dispensed;

[0010] (b) a flexible spout attached to the vat and depending substantially vertically from the vat;

[0011] (c) a stationary member engaging the flexible spout; and

[0012] (d) a movable member biased against the stationary member thereby pinching the flexible spout to close the flexible spout and prevent fluid from being dispensed.

[0013] A principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it is operable by the user with only one hand.

[0014] Another principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it permits a large bulk fluid container to be mounted on the apparatus, avoiding the need to open and re-seal the bulk container when introducing fluid into the apparatus.

[0015] Another principal object and advantage of the present invention is that several of the apparati may be enclosed in a cabinet with only the dispensing spout and operating lever visible to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention with the valve closed.

[0017]FIG. 2A is a right side elevational view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2B is a right side elevational view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 3 is the same as FIG. 1, showing the valve being opened to dispense fluid.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the valve of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a cabinet holding several apparati of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention that uses slide rails to slide into and out of a cabinet.

[0023]FIG. 7 is front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] The dispensing apparatus of the present invention is generally shown in the Figures as reference numeral 10.

[0025] The dispensing apparatus 10 preferably comprises a fluid holding means 12. In the preferred embodiment, the fluid holding means 12 is a vat 14. However, any other device that could hold fluid for dispensing is also envisioned as covered by the claims, such as a bottle, tub, etc.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment, the vat 14 further comprises an open end 16 adapted to receive a bulk container B (see FIG. 3), the bulk container B resting inverted on the open end. The bulk container could be any container holding a large quantity of fluid to be dispensed, such as a large bottle of laundry detergent. Alternatively, the fluid to be dispensed may be placed or poured from the bulk container B into the vat, and the bulk container B may then be re-sealed and set aside.

[0027] The dispensing apparatus 10 also comprises a valve 18 that when opened allows fluid to flow from the vat 14 through the valve and into a smaller container C. Importantly, the valve 18, in the preferred embodiment, is operable by pressing the receiving container C against the valve 18.

[0028] In the preferred embodiment, the valve 18 , may preferably comprise a flexible tube 20 attached to the holding means 12 or vat 14. The flexible tube 20 may be constructed of any flexible material such as rubber or plastic, but preferably is rubber. The valve 18 is closed by pinching the flexible tube closed, and the invention therefore further comprises a means 22 for pinching the flexible tube 20.

[0029] Preferably, the means 22 for pinching the flexible tube comprises a stationary member 24 and a movable member 26, the flexible tube being pinched between the stationary member 24 and the movable member 26. The movable member 26 may further comprise a lever 28 pivotable on a pivot 30. In operation, the receiving container C is pressed against the lever 28, thereby opening the flexible tube 20 and the valve 18.

[0030] As can be seen from FIG. 1, when the movable member 26 is pressed against the stationary member 24, the flexible tube 20 is bent at substantially a right angle, thereby ensuring that no fluid may pass through the flexible tube 20. To facilitate this feature, the stationary member may further comprise a blade 25 and the movable member may further comprise a shelf 27.

[0031] The invention further comprises means 40 for biasing the movable member 26 against the flexible tube 20, thereby holding the valve 18 closed.

[0032] In a one embodiment (FIG. 2A), the means 40 comprises a lever arm 44 attached to the movable member 26 and a weight 46 at the end of the lever arm 44 opposite the movable member 26. As one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, the mass of the weight 46 operating on the lever arm 44 exerts sufficient force to hold the valve 18 closed. The length of the lever arm 44 and/or the mass of the weight 46 can be adjusted to increase or decrease the closing force against the valve 18.

[0033] In a second embodiment (FIG. 2B), the means 40 for biasing the movable member 26 against the flexible tube 20 comprises a spring 42.

[0034] FIGS. 1-4 show an embodiment of the dispensing apparatus 10 that is a stand-alone implementation, in which the apparatus 10 is mounted on a base 50.

[0035] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, several of the dispensing apparati may be placed in a cabinet T with the operating levers 28 and flexible tubes 20 extending below the cabinet T and the remainder of the apparatus enclosed in the cabinet.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the dispensing apparati may be mounted in the cabinet T so as to slide into and out of the cabinet T. In this embodiment, the cabinet T has at least one pair of rails R that slidingly engage corresponding second rails 60 attached to the apparatus 10.

[0037] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from bulk containers into receiving containers, operable by the user using only one hand, comprising: (a) A fluid holding means; and (b) A valve operable by pressing the receiving container against the valve.
 2. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid holding means further comprises a vat.
 3. The dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vat further comprises an open end adapted to receive the bulk container, the bulk container resting inverted on the open end.
 4. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a flexible tube attached to the fluid holding means and a means for pinching the flexible tube.
 5. The dispensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the flexible tube is constructed of rubber.
 6. The dispensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the means for pinching the flexible tube further comprises a stationary member and a movable member, the flexible tube being pinched between the stationary member and the movable member, the receiving container being pressed against the movable member.
 7. The dispensing apparatus of claim 6, further comprising means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube, thereby holding the valve closed.
 8. The dispensing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube further comprises a spring.
 9. The dispensing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube further comprises a lever arm attached to the movable member, a weight at the end of the lever arm opposite the movable member, and a pivot between the movable member and the weight.
 10. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cabinet holding more than one dispensing apparatus.
 11. The dispensing apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a slide rail mounted in the cabinet T and a second slide rail mounted to the apparatus, the second slide rail engaging the slide rail for movement into and out of the cabinet.
 12. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from bulk containers into receiving containers, operable by the user using only one hand, comprising: (a) A vat for receiving the bulk container, wherein the vat further comprises an open end adapted to receive the bulk container, the bulk container resting inverted on the open end; and (b) A valve operable by pressing the receiving container against the valve.
 13. The dispensing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the valve comprises a flexible tube attached to the vat and a means for pinching the flexible tube.
 14. The dispensing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the flexible tube is constructed of rubber.
 15. The dispensing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for pinching the flexible tube further comprises a stationary member and a movable member, the flexible tube being pinched between the stationary member and the movable member, the receiving container being pressed against the movable member.
 16. The dispensing apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube, thereby holding the valve closed.
 17. The dispensing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube further comprises a spring.
 18. The dispensing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube further comprises a lever arm attached to the movable member, a weight at the end of the lever arm opposite the movable member, and a pivot between the movable member and the weight.
 19. The dispensing apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a cabinet holding more than one dispensing apparatus.
 20. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from bulk containers into receiving containers, operable by the user using only one hand, comprising: (a) A vat for receiving the bulk container, wherein the vat further comprises an open end adapted to receive the bulk container, the bulk container resting inverted on the open end; and (b) A valve operable by pressing the receiving container against the valve, wherein the valve comprises a flexible tube attached to the vat and a means for pinching the flexible tube.
 21. The dispensing apparatus of claim 20, wherein the flexible tube is constructed of rubber.
 22. The dispensing apparatus of claim 20, wherein the means for pinching the flexible tube further comprises a stationary member and a movable member, the flexible tube being pinched between the stationary member and the movable member, the receiving container being pressed against the movable member.
 23. The dispensing apparatus of claim 22, further comprising means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube, thereby holding the valve closed.
 24. The dispensing apparatus of claim 23, wherein the means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube further comprises a spring.
 25. The dispensing apparatus of claim 23, wherein the means for biasing the movable member against the flexible tube further comprises a lever arm attached to the movable member, a weight at the end of the lever arm opposite the movable member, and a pivot between the movable member and the weight.
 26. The dispensing apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a cabinet holding more than one dispensing apparatus.
 27. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from bulk containers into receiving containers, comprising: (a) a vat for holding the fluid to be dispensed; (b) a flexible spout attached to the vat and depending substantially vertically from the vat; (c) a stationary member engaging the flexible spout; and (d) a movable member biased against the stationary member thereby pinching the flexible spout to close the flexible spout and prevent fluid from being dispensed.
 28. The dispensing apparatus of claim 27, further comprising an operating lever attached to the movable member, wherein the valve is opened by pressing a receiving container against the operating lever.
 29. The dispensing apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a spring biasing the movable member against the stationary member.
 30. The dispensing apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a lever arm and a weight, wherein the operating lever is attached to a first end of the lever arm and the weight is attached to a second end of the lever arm, and a pivot between the first end and the second end. 